Artists to display work in Thibodaux; free concerts planned for tonight

Lyndy Thibodaux, then 14 (from left), Olivia Robichoux, then 13, and Grace Falgoust, then 8, use sidewalk chalk to make their own art during last year’s Arts Walk in downtown Thibodaux. The art walk scheduled for March 19 features art from local artists, music and activities for children.

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John Culhane

Published: Friday, March 19, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 8:50 a.m.

You can bring your family out for a leisurely evening walk while viewing the work of local artists and listening to live music at an event set for this month.

The third annual Thibodaux Downtown Arts Walk is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 19 along the streets of downtown Thibodaux.

“Our third annual Downtown Arts Walk hopes to include even more art and music than past events,” said Jessica Durocher, executive director of Thibodaux Main Street, Inc., the event’s sponsor. “This night allows all members of the community to witness some of the talented individuals who call our area home. Historic Downtown Thibodaux serves as an amazing backdrop for the culture we all hold so close to our hearts, and this event showcases our special heritage within the heart of our community.”

Event organizers said in addition to artists and musicians, the event will feature local authors, food, drink and entertainment for the children.

“We have a lot of entertainment set up with the bands playing in different locations throughout the entire event,” Durocher said.

The bands scheduled to perform are The Americanos, The Moss Pickers, The Dixieland Band, Roland Cheramie and Friends, and Dorothy and The Shaky Egg Band.

“It is our job to coordinate the music being played at the event,” said Rusty Bouvier, a member of the promotions committee for Thibodaux Main Street. “The event is pretty much in the grass-root stage. We have arranged for a lot of art to be displayed, as well as getting bands set up for entertainment. We are trying to set up the atmosphere to make it attractive for people to come out and see. Everything is set up like a big block party.”

Organizers said the event is needed to develop local talent and hopes to grow the artistic community in the future.

“This Art Walk is one step in building a better art community,” said Bouvier who is set to display some of his artwork. “You can sum it all up by saying we are building something that needs to be built in this area. People like me who have developed artistic talent often have to leave this area to make a career out of it. We would like to see the Arts Walk grow into a bigger event with a great draw so artists can survive in this area, so they don’t have to leave.”

Arts Walk T-shirts will also be available with proceeds going to help downtown Thibodaux.

The Arts Walk is free and open to the public.

The event is put on by Thibodaux Main Street Inc. with support from the Houma Regional Arts Council.

“It is also a great event for artists to come out and display their work, and they are able to network as well,” Bouvier said. “We are working on setting up an artist co-op and eventually would like to see the area grow to where we can support an art gallery and perhaps a teaching studio for local artists. It is a long-term goal of ours to open a school.”

For information on Thibodaux Main Street, call Durocher at 446-4004 or visit www.downtownthibodaux.org.

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